Low-scoring contest expected in Miami

Rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will start against a strong defense.
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Chances are, Pittsburgh isn't expecting Ben Roethlisberger to post huge numbers in his first NFL start -- especially against one of the league's top defenses.
Unless Miami's offense shows drastic improvement, Roethlisberger won't have to have a big day to win, either. There are some parallels the Steelers and Dolphins take into Sunday's matchup in Miami.
Both teams have work-in-progress quarterbacks: Roethlisberger makes his first start in place of the injured Tommy Maddox, while A.J. Feeley gets his second start for the winless Dolphins.
Troubles on the offensive line have plagued both clubs, with Miami's issues so severe the offense has been slowed to a standstill, the biggest reason the Dolphins are off to an 0-2 start for the first time since 1988.
Still, as odd as it sounds, Miami could be 2-0 if the offense managed even mediocre football -- a testament to how the defense performed against Tennessee and Cincinnati, which combined for one touchdown and an average of 226.5 yards in the opening two weeks against the Dolphins.
And that defense is drooling in anticipation of giving Roethlisberger a proper welcome to the league, although the Dolphins were beaten by inexperienced Carson Palmer and Cincinnati last weekend.
Roethlisberger has strong receivers flanking him. Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress are among of the AFC's top duos. Ward's 250 yards receiving is tops in the NFL.
Steelers' key
Pittsburgh's best hope, though, would be getting running back Duce Staley (148 yards through two games) established early, therefore giving Roethlisberger more of a comfort zone against Miami's swarming defenders.
"You look at the linebacker corps, they're great guys that have experience that are just talented," Roethlisberger said. "There's obviously a great defensive line and great secondary. All the way across it's going to pose a challenge to us."
Roethlisberger, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2004 draft, replaced Maddox in the third quarter of last week's 30-13 loss to Baltimore. The rookie was shaky at times, yet completed 12-of-20 passes for 176 yards and both Steelers scores.
"Ben has got to pick up the reins," said Steelers coach Bill Cowher, whose team has split its first two games. "I think it's more about everybody else around him, as well. Ben is prepared to do this and it'll certainly be an experience for him."
That's a mantra Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt has repeated incessantly over the past week. His choice to replace Week 1 starter Jay Fiedler at halftime of the opener remains a hot-button topic in South Florida, and Feeley hasn't exactly flourished.
He's thrown four touchdown passes -- two for the Dolphins, and two that were run back for scores by Miami's opponents. Feeley has completed 42-of 70-passes, yet is averaging just 5.5 yards per attempt, mainly because he's had to go short as the penalty-prone offensive line gives him precious little time to work.
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